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Thread: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

  1. #26

    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Apart from the Fender name (the same name that, when it is on acoustic mandolins, is a by-word for entry-level rubbish), I can't see the attraction of this attempt by the company to cash in on a popular old model.

    From a wholly personal perspective, a mandolin 'has to' have eight strings. I am very tempted to get an electric 8-stringer, and we are really quite spoiled for choice. I am reliably informed that the Revelation RTM is good value for money, and easy to modify/upgrade with pick-ups and other components from Almuse in England or Moongazer in the USA.

    Pete at Almuse makes beautiful looking customs (in 4, 5 and 8-string versions) that are very reasonably priced, and electric specialist custom builders like Jonathan Mann and Ian Weston offer great quality work that is surely going to make the Fender look and sound like what it is - a cheap, mass-produced instrument.

    I'm hoping 2013 sees me get an electric, and depending on finances, it will surely come from one of the above sources. Whatever happens, I will definitely be ignoring the brand hype going on over this 'new' model.

    ron

    p.s. Interesting wording on the headstock in one of Spruce's photos: 'Designed and Backed by Fender'. To me that suggests 'made by another company that has nothing to do with Fender'
    Last edited by Ron McMillan; Jan-24-2013 at 11:51pm. Reason: fixed wrong URL at the Ian Weston link

  2. #27
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    <Homer Simpson>Ooh... Indonesia...</Homer Simpson>

    So, this thing looks like it has a contour on the front...
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

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  3. #28
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by blueron View Post

    From a wholly personal perspective, a mandolin 'has to' have eight strings.
    Well, then what brings you to this neck of the woods??

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post
    <Homer Simpson>Ooh... Indonesia...</Homer Simpson>
    Yeah, but it ain't bad...
    The fret-end dressing sucks, but I could fix that in 5 minutes...

    It played fine...
    The pickup kept getting in my way, but it probably would on a vintage Mandocaster too...
    (I didn't get to plug it in--maybe tomorrow).

    The maple looks pretty authentic, although with the worm-track it could be Chinese wood...

    The fingerboard is some porous dark wood of a nebulous species, and would never pass muster...

    It was too heavy...

    The alder did indeed look like alder...

    I dunno...
    I'd pay a bill-and-a-half for a dinged up one in 2-3 years in a heartbeat...
    If I've waited 40 years to get one, I can wait a bit longer...

  4. #29

    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Well at least there is a $300 set of replacement tuners for the old mandocasters .

  5. #30
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by blueron View Post
    From a wholly personal perspective, a mandolin 'has to' have eight strings.
    Nahhh. Single strings allow for great flexibility when bending notes. Also, as I recall from my EM-150, if the double strings were the slightest bit out of tune they sounded annoying through the PA. I agree one loses that characteristically mandolinny sound (much to be desired), but it is still a lot of fun to play.

    Quote Originally Posted by blueron View Post
    'Designed and Backed by Fender'. To me that suggests 'made by another company that has nothing to do with Fender'
    Yes, I caught that too. Seems like a built-in disclaimer.

    My biggest issue is with the saddles. How in blazes can you intonate when two different strings are on one saddle? What were they thinking? (I think they were not.) You cannot put that saddle on an instrument and expect it to be considered a serious instrument.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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  6. #31

    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post

    My biggest issue is with the saddles. How in blazes can you intonate when two different strings are on one saddle? What were they thinking? (I think they were not.) You cannot put that saddle on an instrument and expect it to be considered a serious instrument.
    If you use the factory string gauges from the 60's it intonates quite well . but the strings end up so light that you have to use a very light touch

  7. #32

    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by rico mando View Post
    If you use the factory string gauges from the 60's it intonates quite well . but the strings end up so light that you have to use a very light touch
    For clarification a bridge with very little room for adjustment or string gauge choice is not desirable . just because it is possible to make it intonate, does not mean I am inferring that you would find the play-ability in any way satisfactory . I am in agreement with Journeybear - You cannot put that saddle on a emando and expect it to be considered a serious instrument.

  8. #33
    Registered User Dan Margolis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    I've mentioned this before, so forgive me if you've heard it from me. I had Armadillo Machine shop in Austin make me compensated saddles for my old Fender emando. Tele players do this all the time. He didn't have my instrument to measure so he used my measurements and did a swell job for not much money. If he had one in hand I'm sure that he could do even better. Behold:

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  10. #34
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Hmmm ... I guess that would work, though careful precise measurements would have to be made beforehand to get the angles right and make sure the intonation for each string would be spot on. I am still leery of that approach, and prefer each string be independent. That's how they are on my Ryder EM-44, and that's how they are on my reissue MandoCaster. It just makes sense intuitively to do it that way. I would think the guitar gurus at Fender would know this, and I also think there would be plenty of these parts sitting around a factory stockroom or warehouse. I'm baffled by this. It hardly seems a valid area to be looking for cost -cutting (my theory for a reason for this). I really enjoyed being able to spend a litle time (OK, it was almost an hour) with my Ryder and Boss TU-3 tuner and mini-phillips-head and dial in the intonation. I'm glad this is working for you, though. I just wish Fender had attended to this pre-production.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  11. #35
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    These bridges at Moongazer Music might be worth a look.
    Click image for larger version. 

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  12. #36
    ISO TEKNO delsbrother's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Were the saddles threaded rod in the originals? Was there word of a case?

  13. #37
    Registered User JimRichter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    I really don't understand the naysayers. We each have personal likes and dislikes. Though it may not meet your high demands, there is no need to disparage it. Admittedly, though I have always thought the mandocaster was one sexy animal, there is a one trick pony aspect to it. That's why I couldn't justify holding on to my vintage one when the prices went through the roof ($2500 vintage? my gosh). However, they do play well and do the high strung tele sound quite well. As far as it needing 8 strings to be a mandolin, I can understand that rationale because I've had it too. However, if you wish to become picky, there are many who would say an emando--regardless of string count--is not a mandolin. I've definitely thought that. I do not look at the emando like a mandoilin and tend to play it differently (more from an electric guitar point of view). I've never heard "traditional" fiddle tune type mandolin playing on an emando that sounded good to my ear. Again, that's only my viewpoint and not a condemnation of anyone who chooses to do it.

    Now, as far as the Indonesian Fender instruments go, I wouldn't sell them short. I recently bought a Squire 60's 'surf' strat (60's features with lipstick pickups) as a backup guitar. That guitar, which I bought off the shelf at Guitar Center, is one of the best sounding Strats I've owned. It also plays very well, had a good fret dressing (though don't all leave that way), and most importantly, is a strong guitar. This was a $275 guitar. Some of the Fender stuff from Indonesia is quite good and gives those with little green a much better product than some of the dross Fender used to produce in Korea.

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  15. #38
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    My biggest issue is with the saddles. How in blazes can you intonate when two different strings are on one saddle? What were they thinking? (I think they were not.) You cannot put that saddle on an instrument and expect it to be considered a serious instrument.
    Well, a '51 Blackguard Tele is probably one of the most serious instruments on the planet...

  16. #39
    Searching for the Sound
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Just wondering, as one who is STILL considering getting it, based on the "fender-ness", relatively low cost, and excitement it has generated... what level of support can one expect from Guitar Center? I think a local shop can order it for me ... perhaps for a few $ more, and I'd think the locals would give more support. Input?

  17. #40
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    What kind of "support"?
    Fret dressing, nut-work, compensation, or ??...
    If I ordered one of these, I would expect to be able to do that work myself.
    It's pretty easy to do, and is the way to go if you want it "right"...

    I dunno...
    If a local shop said they'd set it up properly and do those things that will need to be done to it as part of the deal--and you're unable to do it--then I guess go local...

    Unless you're lucky, these will not be "great" out of the box...

  18. #41

    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by mtm View Post
    what level of support can one expect from Guitar Center?
    Wait, was that a serious question?

    You'd be lucky if they can find the correct case/bag that it shipped from the manufacturer with.

  19. #42
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Spruce View Post
    Well, a '51 Blackguard Tele is probably one of the most serious instruments on the planet...
    It figures. Out of the thousands of models and millions of electric guitars built, there would have to be some built this way. It would be mathematically impossible for it to be otherwise. I still think it's a mistake. And I would like to think some advancements have been made on the thinking about this approach during the intervening years.

    In looking for an example, I found this. Not sure if it's a '51, but it does have the doubled-up bridges. And interestingly, the bridge for the D and G strings has been modified to include a slant.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  20. #43
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    And I would like to think some advancements have been made on the thinking about this approach during the intervening years.
    I can usually dial in a Tele with it's stock saddles...
    A mando might be tougher...

    These are great if you want to get it perfect:
    Last edited by Scott Tichenor; Apr-16-2014 at 8:41am. Reason: image no longer exists.

  21. #44
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    yes, intonation with those Fender brass saddles can be set quite closely to accurate. perfect? I don't think intonation can be set perfectly on most instruments. I have tried compensated saddles and individual saddles on my Tele. I always go back to the original vintage bridge barrel saddles. one way to fine tune them is to find and set a correct string height for the instrument where intonation is close to correct, and then adjust each string height (either side of each saddle). there are screws. for those who wish to wield a file, they can adjust height of the barrel tops (string specific) that way as well, but I have not ever found it necessary.

    perhaps on the mandolin bridge, 5ths tuning rather than 4ths will create more of an issue. but it is probably correctable, as it's been used for years, by many musicians. that $20 compensation repair was a bargain, considering the amount some hardware costs these days.

  22. #45
    Registered User Dan Margolis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Margolis View Post
    http://www.armadilloguitar.com/shopp...products_id=47

    This is a link to the shop that made the compensated saddles for my original Fender emando. The picture on his site is of my mando. In fact, I took it! He charges $20 plus shipping. I've mentioned this several times before, but if someone can ever hand him a Fender to measure in person, he might be able to spec the angles even a little better. For that matter, he could make a four-saddle bridge for a Fender emando. No financial interest with Armadillo. Nice guy.
    I wrote this in the other Fender emando thread. This is almost the only thing I write about these days.
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  23. #46
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    A couple vintage examples I ran into today...
    This is the finest one I've ever seen:



    And another:


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  25. #47

    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Spruce View Post
    I'd pay a bill-and-a-half for a dinged up one in 2-3 years in a heartbeat...
    I'm certainly with you on this one!

    Gibson recently stopped production of their Mandobird, so this is the only one available from one of the major's, if that's important.

    While I know many of you yearn for yesteryear, I'd like to have seen Fender "fix" the issues everyone is complaining about - i.e. the saddle, pickup and pickup angle.

    Would a "fixed" version appeal to the vintage-heads out there? No.

    Would a "fixed" version appeal to all the wanna-emando players out there? Absolutely.

    I'd venture to say there are more of the latter than the former and, if it were my call, I'd produce an instrument that had the highest potential for sales, not one that appealed to a select group of propeller-heads.

    I believe Eastwood has legal rights to the "Mandocaster" name - hence the "Mando Strat."

    PS - IIRC Samick owns the only factory in Indonesia. They've been producing instruments for many decades now and can make a mighty fine piece when they put their minds to it.
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  26. #48
    Usedtobeawannabee opie wan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    I just want to go on record as saying I'm really enjoying my cheap ass fender electric mandolin. There's a fret problem at the base of the neck on the G-string (1 spot) and if I'm careful it disappears. I tried it through a little fender deluxe amp and it think its awesome. It's my first electric mandolin. I think I might want a Ryder now..... but I'm not sure why.

    Does it have a truss rod? It came with an Allen wrench that would appear to be for a truss rod but I can't see the spot. Perhaps under the back plate?

    The thing holds a tune very well. It sounds nice... and out of the box it doesn't play so bad. I got it for 268. Used....as in a shop demo....

    PS..... anybody know where I can get a proper case for this thing?
    Last edited by opie wan; Nov-26-2013 at 5:58am.

  27. #49
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Didn't see an answer to Don Stiernberg's and opi wan's truss rod question. i took the neck off the new reissue today and found the truss rod was relaxed (a good thing for shipping) and very functional. The case Fender sells is a gig bag for their acoustic mandolin, and it doesn't fit so great, but it's usable.

    Overall, i would say it's worth the price. There are some fine details that are addressed with the small shop offerings, but i don't mind doing a little tweaking to get it up to speed. The little Allen head adjustment screws in the threaded string saddles are a bit high, but some shorter new ones can be had, stock ones filed down, or shim the neck. The pickup is very adjustable and sounds better than i was expecting (Roland Micro Cube). The neck pocket is snug and accurately cut. i was pleasantly surprised to get the intonation acceptable. It gets a thumbs up for the amount of Fender vibe you get for the money, which is kind of like the Gibson vs. small shop relationship. i would choose this new Fender over the Epi Mandobird that found a new home after getting the mandocaster.

    While a Sea Foam Green or Fiesta Red would be nice, my druthers would be the maple neck/skunk stripe with blonde swamp ash body and gold pick guard. AVO frets and gold hardware might be a nice touch, too.

    BTW, does anybody have any ideas for a bridge cover?

  28. #50
    Registered User doboing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin

    Can anyone tell me how long is this instrument and how wide the body? Thank You

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